A one year celebration

Chapter 3: A mask uncovered

The rest of the day was spent trying to come up with a solution to their current problem. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rairity and Applejack was still in the library, while Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash kept an eye on the celebrations and on princess Luna herself.

”It’s hopless!” Twilight suddenly exclaimed sinking down on the floor and sighing deeply. ”I can’t find anything that says how you reveal a changelings identity against their will. If there even is a way.”

”We mustn't give up.” Applejack walked up next to her. ”The Princesses are counting on us to fix this. Even if they don’t know it yet.” She smiled weakly.

”But we’ve gone over all the books that mention changelings at least twice.” Twilight said, looking up at the yellow earthpony with doubt filled eyes.

”Then perhaps what we need is a direct confrontation.” the two ponies looked over at Rarity who gently pushed one of the books back into it’s proper place. ”After all, everypony knows that Applejack can’t lie.” the white unicorn continued. ”She is the element of honesty after all, if she tells the princess of what she saw and heard, this intruder will have to justify herself. Maybe she will mess up.”

”Why Rairity.” Fluttershy said. ”That is a rather risky idea.”

”It’s the best one we’ve got.” Twilight rose again. ”If you’re up to it.” She looked over to Applejack who nodded firmly.

As it turned out, however, Applejack would never get the change.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The nervous tension lay heavy over the 6 friends as they joined the crowd gathering in the throne-room. They had decided to wait until a suitable moment where they could talk to the princess in relative privacy. Twilight hoped that her beloved mentor would trust her enough to grant her a private audience, if only for a few minutes.

One of the door to the balcony opened and Princess Luna landed on the doorstep. The dark alicorn looked around in the crowded room before her eyes fell on her sister. Twilights eyes widened and it felt as if her blood turned to ice when she saw the look on the Alicorns face. It was pure seething hatred in the usually kind eyes of Princess Luna. Twilight was moving before she realised that Lunas horn had started to shimmer with magic.

”Princess Celestia!” she cried as she jumped up on the platform with the white alicorn. The Sun Princess looked up, eyes widened as she opened her mouth in a warning. The warning never reached Twilight however, as a dark shroud surrounded the purple unicorn a moment, before a sound as if lightning struck the castle, accompanied by a flash of light that caused every one in the room to look away.

”TWILIGHT!” the remaining 5 friends cried in fear and rushed up to where their friend had been standing just a moment ago, but there was no sign of the unicorn anywhere. A defening silence fell over the room for a moment, before Rainbow Dash twisted around, wings flaring in fury as she looked over to the dark Alicorn.

”Murderer!” she cried. ”You killed her!”

Luna said nothing for a moment, before she lowered her head and her shoulders started to tremble. Suddenly loud laughter erupted from the winged unicorn, causing every one in the room to take a step backwards. All but Celestia who stood firm.

”What is the meaning of this Luna?” she asked, voice trembling with something between anger and... fear?

”That is not Luna!” Applejack yelled, eyes blazing as the orange earthpony straightened up and glared at the dark pony by the balcony. ”She’s an intruder. A shapeshifter!”

‘Lunas’ eyes widened, but then a twisted smile graced her features.

”So you figured it out. But way to late.” Her voice was hollow, laced with poison as she spoke. She took a few steps into the room, barely even acknowledging the ponies that had started to flee the room. The balcony door shut behind her. The same dark shroud that had surrounded Twilight started to swirle around the Alicorns legs, raising up.

Stricken to silence the remaining ponies watched as the Moon Princess changed into a twisted image of a pony, legs hollowed and wings thin like an insects, Lunas blue eyes changed into a poisonous green, and her mane and tail became the same lightblue colour as her wings. The final thing changing was her horn that became longer, but also more twisted and seemingly half-broken in places.

”Who are you?” Celestia stepped up between the 5 friends and the stranger. ”And where is my sister and my student?” The alicorn was angry, more angry than anyone now living had ever seen her.

”I am Chrystalis! Queen of the Changelings” the Changeling sneered. ”As for your beloved sister and student. Do not worry, you will join them soon enough.”

A bright light shot from Celestias horn, but Chrystalis brushed it aside as if ti was nothing.

”How?” Celestias eyes widened in shock.

”Your power is nothing compared to mine.” the changeling. chuckled. ”It’s the darkest just before dawn, is it not so? With your power at it’s lowest, and my own being fuelled by that of your sister, you stand no change against me, princess.”

”What is your business in Equestria?” Celestia asked, regaining her composure.
”Love.” Chrystalis said. ”My people feed of it, and this country is overfilled with love.” She smiled, a twisted grin in her deformed face. ”The strongest love being that of two sisters, who’s love endured a thousand years of madness and separation.” She laughed again. ”You thought it wise? When she asked you to let her handle the rumours? That she was strong enough on her own? And you didn’t even notice when I took her place.. To busy with your own affairs...”

”Princess..” Applejack looked up at the white Alicorn.

”Go. I will cover your escape. Get to the elements.” Celestias voice was soft, her eyes never leaving Chrystalis.

”But without Twilight..”

”We will have to make due. Now go!” The five remaining elements of harmony started to move backwards before they made a hash for the doors.

”Oh don’t worry Celestia dear.” The queen of the changelings watched the 5 ponies flee the hall. ”I’m not going to stop them. My servants will do that for me.” Eery green eyes focused on Celestia again. ”I am going to enjoy this.” She almost purred.

Celestia didn’t answer, but her legs tensed as magic once again clashed the air.